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Archive for June, 2011

The post-primary financial reports of the candidates for Governor are filed. However, interest remains in what the candidates did with their money in the final days. Just reading the news accounts it appears the flow of campaign spending out of the state continued. What is wrong with homegrown talent? Proof is in the pudding – so they say. Here are the details.

Democrats rallied at COALTON DAYS…a small community in Randolph County where family…friends…and politicians gather annually…the weekend before WV Day…it’s like a big family reunion…the population of 249 grows to about 4,000…not all are politicians…candidates or Democrats…Coach Huggins never misses.

Former Senator Mike Ross…hosts anyone who comes…MUST ATTEND for those seeking or holding office…sometimes it looks like Charleston’s VIPs have moved to COALTON…the Ross family serves [hundreds] an Italian lunch on the lawn of his home…games & carnival rides for the kids…Elvis for his more mature friends…a truly Italian band…music like the old country.

…and all of that before an old fashion parade…bag pipes, flags, fire trucks, COALTON DAYS’ Queen…twirlers of all ages…homemade floats…boom boxes blaring…and of course riding and walking political folks…mostly Democrats this year…but not always the case.

Lining the MAIN STREET…there are others…parade goers got a chance to greet [Acting] Governor Tomblin…Legislators Delegate Bill Hartman & Denise Campbell…tossed candy to the kids…lots of them…AG Darrell McGraw wearing his veterans hat…walked the parade route…Senator Walt Helmick…and former Williamson Mayor Sam Kapourales worked the crowd…Elkins Mayor Duke Talbott rode in the back of a truck…Coalton Mayor Jim Rossi joined the parade…after helping make meatballs.

Election 2012 is already in swing…though we need to finish the special gubernatorial election in October…Tish Chafin made it to COALTON DAYS…even before she announces for the Supreme Court…smart move to meet Northern state residents…SOS Natalie Tennant was in the crowd…could she be sizing up the Governor’s race again…former Senator Oshel Craigo worked the political types on hand…heard he will be active in the Chafin race… Senator H. Truman Chafin… decked out in a straw hat…working the other side of the…Ross lawn…it’s large…for his wife…Rob AlsopCOS for Tomblin was there with his family…passing out stickers and candy…the kids loved it.

2012 REPUBLICANS CANDIDATES should mark the date for next year…there are few events like it…at least that phillipsbillboard has heard about.

Political Tidbits…for REPUBLICANS

Since the CNN Republican debate…there has been a lot of national news regarding the race for the Republican presidential nomination…thought GOP readers of phillipsbillboard may appreciate an update on WEST VIRGINIA DAY.

HOW THE WSJ HANDICAPS THE RACE

Romney Solidifies 2012 GOP Lead

By Jonathan Weisman & Danny Yadron (The Wall Street Journal)

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has surged to a clear lead in the Republican race for the presidential nomination, but his party’s attacks on President Barack Obama’s economic stewardship have yet to shake the president’s lead over the GOP, a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll finds. Read the full story here.

RASMUSSEN REPORTS

83% of GOP Voters Intend To Vote Republican No Matter Who’s The Nominee

Mitt Romney declared in Monday night’s debate that any one of the current Republican candidates would make a better president than Barack Obama, and GOP voters overwhelmingly agree with him. More emphatically, they intend to vote Republican even if their first choice doesn’t win the nomination. Read the full story here.

THE FIX

The effect of GOP graybeards on the 2012 Race

By Aaron Blake (The Fix, The Washington Post)

NEW ORLEANS — Just when it looked like the Republican presidential primary was taking a turn for the nasty, Haley Barbour took the stage at the Republican Leadership Conference on Friday. Read the full story here.

NEW ORLEANS – A candidate in waiting, Texas Gov. Rick Perry is elbowing the Republicans already in the 2012 presidential race as he courts party activists, operatives and donors still shopping for someone to back against President Barack Obama. Read the full story here.

On Friday afternoon the websites of the five most important newspapers in the United State – the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, and USA Today – each had above their digital folds the same breaking story: it seemed the former governor of the 47th most populous state in the union, a woman who holds no elected office now and almost assuredly will not again anytime soon, had thousands of emails from her 21-month tenure data-dumped on the public. Read the full story here.

GOP may push for two-year budget as price of a debt deal

By Bob Cusack and Erik Wasson (The Hill)

Republican leaders are considering asking the White House to back a significant reform of the federal budget process in exchange for raising the nation’s debt ceiling. The GOP wish list for hiking the debt ceiling will be long, and Republican sources contend that overhauling the annual appropriations process is in the mix. Read the full story here.

An observation from phillipsbillboard.com: While working in the Congress I observed there was limited oversight of programs, spending and the results of same. A move as proposed here would allow more time. The 1974 Congressional Budget Act passed during the Watergate scandal worked for a while. Another idea that should be on the table is a Capital Budget for the Federal Government.

Gallup poll shows Republicans 2012 focus on beating Obama

By Alexis Levinson (The Daily Caller)

A USA Today/Gallup poll released Sunday found that Republican and Republican leaning independents would prefer the candidate who can beat Obama rather than the one who they most agree with on issues. The poll gives an insight into how voters are thinking about the largely unsettled primary field, and seems to bode well for Mitt Romney, who is currently the frontrunner in most polls. Read the full story here.

Two Political Tidbits in one week…sorry… but information to share…if you’re a political junkie.

JOHN RAESE returning to politics…he will headline God & Country Rally July 4th in Randolph County…sponsored by WV Patriots.

Questions are being raised about the loyalty of House of Delegates members on the redistricting committee…when it comes to Single Member Districts…will they support Speaker Thompson… or the organizations…endorsing their past campaigns…check it out…important issue to change government in WV.

WHAT WAS MIKE THINKING…or was he…Stuart ask a question of the Secretary of State about “independent expenditures”…never ask the question if you don’t know the answer…because of his action the Republican Party effectively cannot assist GOP candidate Maloney for Governor…it is well known to those in this business… “independent expenditures” cannot be coordinated between a party and a candidate…never followed but known…why ask the question?

2012 underway…Justice Robin Davis filed for re-election to Supreme Count…TishChafin up next…with plans to announce June 30th for the Supreme Count…two open seats…others rumored making plans…State Republicans hope attorney Beth Walker gets on the ballot…she had a strong race in 2008…expect to see Judge John Yoder who nearly won in 2010 back on the campaign trail.

Other office filings expected any day…Attorney General and Commissioner of Agriculture…potential candidates checking out both races…what a year ahead…seems politics have not stopped since 2008…at least junkies like it.

WHERE IS THE UNITY…May 14 GOP candidates were called to breakfast by Chairman Stuart…10 days after the primary [too early]…only two of the eight Mark Sorsaia & Mitch Carmichael…got up early for coffee…DEMOCRATS did no better…a unity dinner early June…only Governor [acting] Tomblin and Treasurer John Perdue…came for supper…not only will this impact the October race…but the bad blood will flow over into 2012 struggle to become Governor.

Republicans will try to ROUNDUP the team on June 18th…a picnic is planned on the State Capitol grounds…good way to celebrate WV‘s Birthday…few days early.

Heard in Charleston…newspaper reporters are requesting information on the change of party registration…of a very viable political figure…no details…just a street rumor…but they often come true in politics…particularly when things are as fluid as now.

The June WVGOP newsletter says…State Executive Committee will review and vote on the method of selecting party delegates…to attend national convention…the July 22-23 meeting should be as heated as the Florida based August [2012] convention…the debate…replay the 2008 convention or hold a primary when Republicans voters go to the polls in May 2012.

Condolences to the family of Delegate Larry Border…a Wood County Republican and kind gentleman…he will be missed in the Legislature.

A cascade of bad economic and political news knocked President Barack Obama off his game today, and promoted him to revive his 2008-style criticism of his predecessor, and also to suggest that investors, consumers and even the media are responsible for today’s stalled economy. Read the full story here.

The public opinion boost President Obama received after the killing of Osama bin Laden has dissipated, and Americans’ disapproval of how he is handling the nation’s economy and the deficit has reached new highs, according to a new Washington Post – ABC News Poll. Read the full story here.

BACK WITH POLITICS & POLICY…everyone needed a break after the special primary…but things never stopped for the gubernatorial candidates…Acting Governor Tomblin continued official duties & signs…while Bill Maloney staffed up…and started hitting the parades…Tomblin has a General Election Kickoff Celebration June 14th…Maloney’s staff is putting plans in place.

2012 Republican presidential politics is underway in WV…Chairman Stuart named a Presidential Selection Steering Committee…they are charged to decide if the 2008 convention should be repeated or return to electing delegates to the national convention in a May 2012 primary…as was done for years.

GOP County Chairs convened Saturday in Glenville…where Ohio County chair Elgine McArdle…a member of the Steering Committee give an initial overview of the work underway…despite her well done report…there were more questions than answers.

SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICTS could have a greater impact on the future of WV government than even the forthcoming election of a new governor…Veteran Putnam County Commissioner….Jim Caruthers went over the details with County Republican Chairs…the Charleston Daily Mail had an Op Ed piece by House Minority Leader TimArmstead…this is a must read…already an issue in the governor’s race…more on Single Member Districts later.

Republicans who are serious about taking out Obama…should read a piece from Friday’s WSJ’s Opinion page.

Back to County Chairs gathering…the new leadership of Paul Hartling produced the attendance of nearly all the county leaders…he had a strong agenda…with a lot of focus on planning the October governor’s race…Maloney rallied the troops after arriving from a parade in Union…Ralph Clark who ran against Maloney in May was there to show his support…Mark Sorsaia sent his regrets.

Speaking of troops…Maloney’s team now as two new members…Roman Stauffer…who left the State Chamber & Mik Carpenter…rested from managing Spike Maynard’s 2010 campaign for Congress…they join Matt Dabrowski [campaign chief] and Eric Hollander who helped send Marco Rubio to the U. S. Senate.

All the talk in Charleston…is the Tomblin Administration should send Culture & History Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith on his way….after reading Phil Kabler Monday not a bad idea…he reported 75 employees working for Randall Reid-Smith have either quit, retired, transferred or been fired since Reid-Smith became commissioner in 2006.

Political rumors…Mark Sorsaia who ran for governor in May is thinking about getting in the Attorney General’s race next year…so is State GOP Chair Mike Stuart…Mike Teets who nearly defeated 50 year Commissioner of Ag Gus Douglas will likely run again.

WANTED…ideas, political news or gossip…send to news@phillipsbillboard.com.